Pete wrote:
>
> "Mike Walsh" <spamscks@netrox.net> wrote in message
> news:45FAE326.A3F5CBC7@netrox.net...
> >
> > You don't need a bridge. All you need is a router, which will include a
> > firewall and 4 port switch. If you want the imac G3 to have wireless
> > access you need a wireless router, and a wireless NIC for the imac G3.
>
> If you can't install a wireless NIC in the imac G3 you could use two Buffalo
> WHR-G54S routers and use the bridge feature instead.
>
> I need lots of reassurance b4 I order...this would definately work then?

It will work, but you should be aware that if you use the wireless port for a bridge it will not be available for use as a normal wireless access point.

> > I highly recommend the Buffalo WHR-G54S router. It has excellent
> > performance and stability. It has a bridge feature which I, like most
> > people, don't use.
> > You can install a router and everything will work using the default
> > settings; but the minimum you should do with a wireless network is enable
> > encryption. The Buffalo WHR-G54S can use anything from 64 bit WEP, the
> > least secure but adequate for most people; to WPA with EAS encryption, the
> > most secure.
>
> Thanks Mike
>
> I'm looking at getting the WHR-HP-G54 Buffalo wireless router now, it's
> almost the same but better signals.
>
> Everyone seems suprised that I'm going to buy a wireless router and use it
> as a bridge, surely this makes sense if I can buy if cheaper than a same
> speed bridge from the same company?

A consumer router includes a router, firewall, four port wired switch, wireless access point, and in some cases one of the ports can be used as a bridge. Sometimes just one of these components e.g. a wireless access point or a switch with a bridge port can cost more than a complete router.

> Assuming all devices support the most robust level of encryption, why would
> someone not use the highest level? Does it reduce bandwidth / speed?

Many devices don't support WPA. Some people use 64 bit WEP because it is supported by all wireless devices and is easiest to configure. I have not seen any difference in speed, but EAS encryption is supposed to be the fastest.

> I heard i could enter all the mac addresses on my network and block anything
> else too, wouldn't this be sufficient to block intruders on it's own or can
> these be forged?

Many routers have features that will block all except specified MAC addresses. It is theoretically possible for someone to guess the correct MAC address, but it is also theoretically possible for them to guess your encryption key. If you are truly paranoid you can use a MAC filter and a 400+ bit WPA key.

> I was going to enable the firewall, what else should i do with this router
> to be super secure bearing in mind if i get them I will use the auto
> configure AOSS feature.

I don't know what AOSS includes because I always manually configure routers. On the first configuration page select advanced and go down the list. The minimum you should do is use wireless encryption and a password to access the router configuration.

--
Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.